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You've arrived: From all over the world, they come to America. See the pictures and learn the stories at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center. |
BY COLLETTE CAPRARA
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Envision 59 teenagers from places as diverse as Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, all facing a common challenge: adjusting to life in a new nation.
These young people are the subjects of a touring exhibit by the Smithsonian Institution: "Becoming American: Teenagers and Immigration," which will be featured at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center throughout August.
In the exhibit, the unique experiences and reflections of each of these youths is sensitively captured by internationally acclaimed documentary photographer Barbara Beirne, who pairs riveting black-and-white portraits of the young immigrants with excerpts from personal interviews, gleaned over a period of eight years.
"Finding my subjects was especially challenging," said Beirne. "I worked with schools, resettlement agencies, places of worship, English as a Second Language classes, and personal referrals.
"Teens agreed to be part of this project because they wanted Americans to better understand the experience of immigration as it is today. Leaving one's homeland and all that's familiar is not less painful today than it was in the past--but people's ability to make these tremendous changes clearly shows the strength of the human spirit."
The curator of FAMCC is thrilled to welcome the Smithsonian touring exhibit.
"When I read that Beirne let the teenagers decide where they wanted to be photographed, and what they would be wearing, I could hardly wait to see what the photos looked like," said Mary Helen Dellinger.
"I was struck by how the range of backgrounds and clothing captured the personalities of the kids."
Some of the youths opted to wear traditional garments while others wore typical American T-shirts and jeans or sports outfits. Settings ranged from parents' workplaces and places of worship to bedrooms bedecked with posters of favorite musicians.
A common thread throughout much of the youths' comments was a combination of nostalgic reminiscences of the culture and character of their homelands, juxtaposed against vivid memories of the poverty and devastating conditions that caused them to emigrate.
"The horrors of war made the teenagers' experience in Iraq, Kosovo and African countries somewhat similar," said Beirne.
And although many of the youths immigrated with their families, several recounted the trauma of leaving loved ones behind.
Having lived through such experiences, the faces and words of many of the teens seem older than those of their peers in the United States.
The young immigrants express gratitude for new opportunities for education, employment and upward mobility. Yet, at a stage in life that accentuates the desire to belong, many of the teens tell about the challenges of fitting in and making friends in a school in a new country.
"I hope that this exhibit encourages dialogue among young viewers, adults and communities," said Beirne. "And I hope that this conversation results in better understanding between Americans and our new arrivals."
"This is a Smithsonian Institution quality presentation," said Dellinger.
The museum has developed two programs to accompany the exhibit. Artwork of local students in grades kindergarten through fifth will be featured throughout the month in a show titled "America, Land of Many Peoples."
In addition, the museum will host a forum with refugees and representatives of supporting organizations to meet one another and share their experiences at 11 a.m. on Aug. 12.
Collette Caprara is a local artist and freelance writer.
For information on the Aug. 12 refugee forum: 540/371-3037, ext. 140 or contact spoore@famcc
